If you have only a day or two in Beijing, or you simply want someone else to handle the reservation system, this is the tour to book. It packs the city’s three headline sights into one long, carefully organised day: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in the morning, when the palace is at its best, followed by a drive north to the Great Wall at Mutianyu for the afternoon. The operator collects you from your hotel in a private vehicle, secures the real-name entry tickets that are so hard to get in busy weeks, provides lunch, and includes the lift up to the Wall, either the cable car or the chairlift with the toboggan ride down. A guide explains the palace and the Wall, so you get the stories as well as the sights. This page links to the tour on Viator, rated 5.0 from more than 4,000 reviews, which makes it the most-reviewed experience in Beijing on the site.
How to visit: the day lasts nine to eleven hours, starting with pickup at your hotel. The price varies with your group size, as each booking is private. Because the Forbidden City is booked on a real-name basis, you must give passport details for everyone in your group when you book and carry the same passports on the day. The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, so plan this tour for Tuesday to Sunday, and book as far ahead as you can: the ticket window opens only seven days before your visit, and operators need your details in time.
What to expect: a long day with lots of walking, first on the stone paving of the palace and then on the steep steps of the Wall. The drive to Mutianyu takes about an hour and a half each way, depending on traffic. In November the Wall is cold and windy and daylight is short, so dress in layers.
Making the most of it: it is a lot for one day, so if you have three or more days in Beijing, consider seeing the Forbidden City and Mutianyu separately at a slower pace.
What to expect
The experience
A private, guided full day: Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City in the morning, lunch, then the Great Wall at Mutianyu with a lift up and the toboggan or lift down.
Best time
Tuesday to Sunday, booked as soon as your dates are firm, because the Forbidden City is closed on Mondays and its tickets open only seven days ahead.
How long
Nine to eleven hours including hotel pickup and drop-off.
Tips
Send passport details for everyone promptly, carry the same passports on the day, and dress in layers for a cold afternoon on the Wall.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Short stays, stopovers and anyone who wants the headline sights without dealing with reservations and transport.
- Families
- Private transport, lunch and the toboggan make it workable with children, though it is a very long day.
- Couples
- An efficient way to see the essentials together, leaving the rest of your trip for slower days.
- Pair with
- A relaxed hutong food tour the next evening.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
What is included in the all-inclusive Beijing day tour?+
The listing includes private transport with hotel pickup, entrance fees, lunch and the Great Wall cable car or chairlift and toboggan. Check the details of your option when you book.
Can I see the Forbidden City and the Great Wall in one day?+
Yes, with an early start and private transport, which is what this tour provides. It is a long day of nine to eleven hours with plenty of walking.
Does the tour run on Mondays?+
The Forbidden City is closed on Mondays, so plan this tour for Tuesday to Sunday. Check with the operator if Monday is your only free day.
Why do I need to give my passport details?+
Forbidden City tickets are real-name and tied to each visitor’s passport. Send the details promptly so the operator can book within the seven-day window.
Which part of the Great Wall does the tour visit?+
The tour visits Mutianyu, the restored, family-friendly section about an hour and a half from central Beijing. It includes a lift up and the toboggan or lift down.
